The Towpath Trail has become a defining feature in the Cuyahoga Valley landscape. Constructed 175 years ago as part of the Ohio & Erie Canal, it began as a simple dirt path on which to lead animals pulling canal boats. Today it has become an extraordinary recreational amenity, highlighting Cleveland's industrial river valley, and serving both its surrounding neighborhoods and region.

This Stage 1 Extension project proposes to extend the multi-use Towpath Trail a distance of 0.75 miles from its current terminus at old Harvard Avenue north along the banks of the Cuyahoga River and ending at the recently redeveloped Steelyard Commons site where a provate developer has already completed the second stage of the Towpath Trail Extension.

This project will encompass the first stage (Stage 1) out of a five-stage process that will see the Towpath Trail extended by approximately six miles. Once all five stages are complete, the Towpath Trail Extension will provide connectivity to 90 miles of multi-use trails, extending throughout the Cuyahoga Valley to downtown Cleveland where the trail will connect to the proposed Canal Basin Park, a gateway park that will orient visitors with information on the Ohio & Erie Canalway.